Donations continuing to help victims of upcounty flooding

By LAUREN LEWIS

lauren.lewis@recordernews.com

PALATINE BRIDGE -- With air temperatures hovering around 10 degrees and a wind chill of -1 Thursday, volunteers helped to unload an entire tractor-trailer filled with building supplies that had been donated to the victims of the June 2013 flood in Fort Plain.

Cyndi Tracy, a volunteer with the River of Jubilee Church of Sprakers, was amazed at the number of volunteers.

"It was absolutely wonderful that these guys came and dedicated their time to this," Tracy said. "It's amazing to see, even six to seven months after the flood, these guys are still willing to give."

Jezreel International donated the building supplies to the River of Jubilee Church, who then decided to give them to the Fort Plain region.

River of Jubilee is deeply involved with flood relief.

"There are two aspects," the Rev. Gail Adamoschek said. "Getting the building supplies and the other thing we are doing is adopt-a-room."

People can donate money to the adopt-a-room program, which River of Jubilee then uses to tackle one room at a time.

"People can say, donate $300, and that money will buy the Sheetrock, insulation and compound tape for one room," Adamoschek said.

Volunteers from Teamsters Local 294, Painters and Tapers Union Local 201, River of Jubilee Church, the villages of Fort Plain and Palatine Bridge, and the towns of Minden and Palatine all helped to unload the full tractor-trailer.

"This is second nature to us," said Thomas Quackenbush, chairman of the Montgomery County Legislature and business agent of Teamsters Local 294. "We do it all the time, whenever we can."

Adamoschek said six homes in Fort Plain still need to be repaired from the June flood, and one needs to be constructed.

"We all know it's a lot to overcome," Adamoschek said.

They are still looking for skilled workers to connect with volunteers to help get these homes back to normal.

"Six out of the seven are actually in their homes," Adamoschek said. "They're living like pioneers, but at least they're in their homes."

Most volunteers who were unloading the truck didn't seem to mind the below-freezing temperatures.

Brian Burkhart, who works for the village of Fort Plain Department of Public Works, had 14 inches of water in his basement last June. He helped unload the tractor-trailer and was pleased with the number of people who showed up.

"These volunteers are putting a lot of time in to help," Burkhart said. "More hands make light work."

Adamoschek was especially grateful for all of the help.

"Though the people who receive these supplies may not know your faces, you took the time out of your day to help," Adamoschek said.

The supplies donated Thursday will go a long way for those whose homes are still in the process of being repaired.

"I know the stuff that came in here, these people are absolutely going to need," Tracy said.

That's what being a part of a community means.

"Love your neighbor," Adamoschek said. "Help them out when something is going on."